The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman 804

Chapter 804

Editor: Aldbnlf

 

[The rank of the trait <Focus> has surpassed 12 stars and evolved into a new trait [Clear Mirror, Still Water].]

Raon swallowed dryly as he read the message about the evolution of his trait.

‘Traits… can evolve?’

He had thought that since the realm of martial arts starts at one star and ends at twelve, traits would also stop growing at twelve stars.

However, contrary to his expectations, the <Focus> trait had grown once more at twelve stars and evolved into a new trait.

"Clear Mirror, Still Water…."

Just as one can't see their reflection in turbulent waters but can in calm ones, Clear Mirror, Still Water means maintaining a calm and unwavering mind and spirit at all times.

In other words, <Focus> evolved into <Clear Mirror, Still Water>, allowing him to maintain peak focus no matter the situation.

‘This is insane.’

Raon smiled as he looked back at Wrath.

"Why didn’t you tell me about this…."

Grrrrk.

As Raon was about to ask Wrath, the demon king gritted his white teeth.

Youuuu! You crazy idiot! Why did you let it evolve? You could've just left it at twelve stars!

Wrath, as usual, treated the system as if it were a person, pointing and cursing at it.

He can't stand this anymore! He’s going back to devildom right now and smashing everything to pieces!

He couldn’t accept it and grabbed his own head in frustration.

‘I’m not sure what’s going on, but thanks anyway.’

He’s so furious he could die! Just shut up!

‘Hm.’

Raon ignored the rampaging Wrath and checked the message again.

[The bud of the versatile Sword has begun to sprout.]

[All stats have increased by 20 points.]

[The rank of the trait <Evil Eye of Wrath> has increased.]

[The rank of the trait <Spiral Force> has increased.]

[The rank of the trait <Focus> has increased.]

[The rank of the trait <Focus> has surpassed 12 stars and evolved into a new trait [Clear Mirror, Still Water].]

[A new title <Steel Leech> has been created.]

20 points, three trait rank-ups, and one new title.

He had recently achieved impossible feats in succession and gained a lot, so this reward might seem small, but it definitely wasn't.

When Wrath, who was thrilled about the <Steel Leech> title,  started foaming at the mouth as soon as he saw the <Clear Mirror, Still Water>, it was clear that this was one of the top rewards he had received so far.

Ughhh….

Wrath sniffled, his chin trembling.

He shouldn't have mocked you for receiving the steel leech title. The one you’re drained the most blood from has been me….

He sniffled, lamenting how he's been sucked dry ever since their first meeting.

‘It's mutual benefit, you know.’

Raon laughed and patted Wrath's shoulder.

Mu-mutual benefit? How dare you say that!

Wrath yelled out.

You’ve been draining the King of Essence’s energy to the marrow and tossing him a few chunks of ice cream in return, calling it mutual benefit? You, with angel wings sprouting from that so-called conscience of yours!

‘That wasn't a compliment, was it?’

Of course not! It means you’re worse than twice-stepped dog poop!

Wrath, radiating intense wrath, raised his fist.

Apologize immediately! Apologize for saying it’s mutual benefit!

"Sorry."

Grrrr! Apologizing just makes me angrier!

Wrath shouted that he couldn’t stand it anymore and threw a punch.

‘What do you want from me….’

Raon easily blocked Wrath’s punch and looked at the <Steel Leech> title.

<Steel Leech>

When learning martial arts or abilities from an opponent you’ve attached yourself to, your understanding and focus increase, and you gain their favor.

‘Oh?’

He was worried because the name steel leech sounded odd, but the effects weren’t bad at all.

Ugh….

Wrath opened his mouth wide in disbelief after checking the title's effects.

Ga-Gaining favor while leeching off someone? You mean they have to smile even while having their blood sucked? What kind of wicked effect is this!

He shivered in fear, his chubby chin trembling.

Whose side are you on, anyway? You clearly know how much the King of Essence suffers from this.

Wrath swung his arms, yelling for the system to come out at once.

‘My ears hurt. Please, enough already.’

Raon pushed away Wrath, who was clinging to him, and shook his head.

You leech-headed scoundrel! Could you endure it if it were you? Would you stay calm as chunks of your flesh are ripped off every day?

Wrath tugged at his hair, urging him to see things from his perspective.

‘Alright, alright.’

Raon sighed deeply. He had finished checking his rewards, and the injuries from his spar were aching, so he wanted to rest quickly.

‘When we return to the family, I’ll let you eat whatever you want for a day.’

Raon recited the only incantation that worked on Wrath and reached out his hand.

Kiaaaa!

Wrath hissed like a cat, showing he absolutely refused.

‘Two days.’

Kiaaa!

‘Three days.’

Kiaa?

‘Four days.’

Deal!

Finally, Wrath agreed to the deal, nodding his head.

Ah, he’s tired today! Better go rest quickly.

Excited about the day they would return to Zieghart, Wrath immediately disappeared into the ice flower bracelet.

‘Ha….’

Raon shook his head as Wrath disappeared, wagging his tail.

‘I’m the one who’s tired.’

After quickly changing his clothes, he collapsed onto the bed.

‘I don’t know if I'm living with a demon king or raising a fierce cat….’

Sometimes he was more mature than Glenn, and sometimes he was pettier than a whining kitten.

He still couldn't figure out this demon king.

‘The day I'll see that bright starlight isn't far off...’

Gazing at the night sky of the Holy Sword Alliance, which sparkled like a sea of stars, Raon slowly closed his eyes.

‘It’s time to go back.’

* *  *

While Raon was asleep.

Rector welcomed two guests in his mansion.

"You must be very pleased."

Lawrence straightened his hunched back as he sat on the sofa.

"With such an annoyingly talented grandson, you must feel full without eating."

He stuffed a cookie from the table into his mouth, frowning.

"Not just full."

Jarek picked up on Lawrence's words, curling his lips.

"With a grandson as the greatest prodigy on the continent, you probably feel refreshed even without sleeping."

He scoffed, leaning on the sofa.

"Hahaha."

Rector leaned back in his chair, a broad smile forming as if he was pleased to hear Raon being praised, despite their spiteful tone.

"Stop laughing and tell us. What exactly has happened so far?"

Lawrence clutched his chest in frustration, leaning his head forward.

"What the hell did you do to produce a monster who can match me in his early twenties!"

He trembled, admitting he never imagined someone like Raon would exist.

"That's not quite true."

Rector shook his head calmly.

“If you hadn’t held back, Raon wouldn’t be standing today.”

He smiled gently, expressing his gratitude.

"There's no need to use killing intent in a normal spar."

Lawrence snorted as if it was obvious.

“And Raon—that arrogant brat didn’t even use killing intent toward me either. The result would have been the same.”

He chuckled, saying it would have ended in a draw no matter what.

“Is that so,”

Rector said, a gentle smile forming as he looked into Lawrence’s eyes.

“You even laugh. It seems you've gotten quite close to Raon.”

"C-Close? Don't be ridiculous! I'm just relieved that the annoying brat is leaving soon!"

Lawrence quickly shook his head, hiding his reddening face behind his long hair.

"You're still as dishonest as ever. But..."

Jalek let out a deflated laugh as he watched the embarrassed Lawrence.

"You're much better than before. That's also thanks to Raon, I suppose."

He nodded solemnly, acknowledging Raon's significant influence.

"Sh-shut up!"

Lawrence turned his face away, blushing all the way to his ears.

“Enough of this! Just tell me how you found that guy!”

He lowered his hand, saying his curiosity felt like a thorn in his mouth.

"I’m also curious about that."

Jarek nodded as he sat next to Lawrence.

“How did you bring Zieghart’s direct line here as your grandson?”

He smacked his lips, curious about the story of Raon and Rector.

“Well, it’s a bit of a long story….”

Rector quenched his thirst with tea before recounting the events that had transpired to the two of them.

"So that's how it was."

Jarek bit his lip.

"Now I understand why I sensed such unusual desperation from that young lad."

He nodded heavily, saying he could finally understand Raon now.

"That damn brat…."

Lawrence sighed deeply, clenching his fist.

"When he listened to my past story, he had a strangely empathetic look in his eyes. I thought it was just sympathy, but it wasn't. He lived a life as rough as mine."

He nodded, saying he could relate to Raon’s life as well.

"And the same goes for you, alliance master."

Lawrence squinted as he looked at Rector with his hands clasped together.

"The reason you came to me before, asking me to take over the Holy Sword Alliance if you died, was also because of Raon."

He brushed back his disheveled white hair, saying everything now made sense.

“Yes.”

Rector stroked his chin calmly.

"I was prepared to give my life for Raon. Since I've dealt with those who worshiped the former alliance master, I thought you could lead the Holy Sword Alliance."

He smiled softly, saying he trusted Lawrence.

"Then you should have told me all this sooner!"

Lawrence frowned, asking why he was only telling them now.

"I'm sorry."

Rector lowered his head, admitting he had no excuse.

"...I don't have any children or grandchildren, but I can understand how you feel, alliance master."

Jarek nodded calmly.

“Is this what it means to grow old?”

He smiled gently at Rector.

“Haa, I thought I was the only one experiencing the fucked up things in the world, but I was wrong.”

Lawrence clicked his tongue, gazing up at the ceiling of the reception room.

"I never imagined there was someone worse off than me, living so earnestly."

He bit his lip, feeling ashamed of his years spent buried in a cave.

“It’s not too late yet.”

Rector shook his head as he looked at Lawrence.

“You can’t change the past, but you can shape the future with your own hands.”

"Of course, I know that."

Lawrence's golden eyes flashed as if he had been waiting for those words.

"When Raon and Martha attack the White Blood Religion, I'll join them. No, I'll lead the charge."

He gritted his teeth, declaring he would avenge his nanny's death.

"Before, I was too scared to even speak of it, but thanks to that crazy bastard, I've gained some courage."

Lawrence smiled softly, recalling Raon’s brazen approach.

“Hmm.”

Jarek smacked his lips as he reached over the table.

"I suppose I'll join as well when the time comes."

"Why would a cowardly old man like you? Did you grow attached after being tormented by him?"

Rector chuckled, playfully circling his finger around Jarek’s head.

“Stop talking nonsense!”

Jarek slapped Rector's hand away and furrowed his brow.

"I can't just leave the second disciple I've taken on in my later years."

He smacked his lips, admitting he was worried about Dorian.

“Didn’t you say he wasn’t a disciple?”

Rector chuckled, waving his hand.

“Ahem, don’t play word games with me.”

Jarek cleared his throat, lowering his gaze.

"Dorian's too kind-hearted. He's an even bigger coward than I used to be, so it's impossible not to worry about him."

"Then perhaps Dorian might surpass you someday."

Rector lifted his chin as he watched Jarek’s frowning face.

"Well, that'd be nice."

Jarek smiled thinly as if he would welcome it.

"Looks like it'll be fun if we all join that day."

Rector pulled an expensive-looking bottle of liquor off the shelf and set it on the table.

"That's rare stuff."

Lawrence’s eyes widened at the bottle.

"It’s a toast. Let’s have a drink, hoping the three of us will be together on the day we strike the White Blood Religion."

He filled Lawrence and Jarek’s glasses before raising his own.

“To my grandson’s happiness.”

“To my mother’s revenge.”

“To the coward.”

The drinking session of the three, begun with each person's resolve, continued until after dawn.

* * *

In the dim early dawn.

The Gambling Monster stopped in front of the entrance to the fifth training ground.

“Here again today?”

Sensing the presence of someone inside, he let out a small laugh.

“What a strange guy.”

The Gambling Monster smacked his lips and opened the door, stepping inside. The first sight that greeted him was Rimmer tidying up the training ground floor.

"What on earth has gotten into you?"

The Gambling Monster approached Rimmer, furrowing his brows.

"For the past two months, you've been coming out since dawn to prepare for training, and you haven't even set foot in the casino. Have you gone mad?"

While Raon was away at the Holy Sword Alliance, Rimmer had been at the training ground at dawn to prepare for the swordsmen's training and focusing on his own training late at night once everyone left.

He was so different from the Rimmer he knew that it made him worry the world might be ending.

It felt like watching that elf when he first came to Zieghart.

"Why am I getting criticized even though I’m living diligently?"

Rimmer shrugged as if he couldn't believe it.

"Since the division leader isn't here, as the vice leader, I'm just fulfilling his role."

He waved his hand, saying he was only covering Raon’s absence.

"What a joke!"

The Gambling Monster furrowed his brows deeply, suspicious.

"Doing things now that you didn’t even do as division leader?"

"If I had remained the leader of the Light Wind division, I wouldn’t be doing this."

Rimmer shook his head while looking at the well-maintained training ground floor.

"But Raon is the division leader now. I don’t want to tarnish his reputation."

He drew a thin smile, saying that's all there is to it.

"You..."

The Gambling Monster narrowed his eyes at Rimmer, who seemed unusually calm.

"You really see Raon as a king?"

"I’ve said it repeatedly—he’s our king. Though he’s still a bit inexperienced."

Rimmer murmured, telling him to remember that things would change even more in the future.

"Hmph. He’s your king, not ours."

The Gambling Monster shook his head firmly.

"Acting like you haven't already surrendered your heart."

Rimmer let out a chuckle, glancing at the Gambling Monster.

"You’re here at this hour because of Raon, aren’t you?"

"Hah, don’t talk nonsense! I just came to…."

"And every time Raon returns, you pant like a dog at the sight of the liquors he brings."

Rimmer stuck out his tongue playfully, as if he knew everything.

"Wh-who are you calling a dog?!"

The Gambling Monster’s face turned red as he clenched his teeth.

"Well, dog or cat, it doesn’t matter. Raon will come back different, so we can’t just sit idly by."

Rimmer stated that was all, resuming his duties in the training ground.

"Let me ask you one thing. If Raon has no intention of becoming the head of house, what will you do?"

The Gambling Monster stood before Rimmer with a serious look, as if ready to punch him depending on the answer.

"It’s my wish for Raon to become head of house, but it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t. Isn’t it a retainer’s duty to follow wherever the one you serve goes?"

Rimmer shrugged again as if it was no big deal.

"Hmm…."

The Gambling Monster relaxed his grip, seemingly surprised by the answer.

"And don't pay attention to me, worry about over there. At this time, every day..."

As Rimmer shook his head, a violent tremor occurred from the direction of the lord’s manor.

"That old geezer is shaking his legs non-stop because he's missing Raon, causing an earthquake every day!"

Rimmer shouted angrily, pointing at the lord’s manor shaking left and right.

"I can't sleep because of that geezer"

* * *

Before Raon returned, Rector held a small banquet beside the training ground of his mansion.

Although much smaller in scale than Zieghart’s festivals, the food and drinks, prepared directly by the swordsmen, had a unique taste and aroma.

Try that! Start with that!

‘I heard you the first time.’

Raon took a bite of the pumpkin pie Wrath had pointed to.

The crispy crust, the sweet pumpkin, and the peanuts blended between them created a peculiar harmony.

It’s fascinating! It tastes bland, yet it’s so enticing!

‘Yeah. The first taste is bland, but it makes you want more.’

Raon agreed with Wrath and took another bite.

It lacks a flashy or stimulating flavor, but he can feel the effort put into it. Sometimes, something like this isn’t bad.

Wrath smacked his lips, saying he liked it.

‘Always so picky, huh.’

It’s not the King of Essence who’s picky, it’s you who’s dull!

Wrath shouted at him to stop talking nonsense and gestured for him to try another dish.

‘Alright, alright.’

Raon headed toward the food Wrath seemed interested in, glancing to his right.

Burren, Martha, and Runaan were conversing with the swordsmen of the Holy Sword Alliance, and a camaraderie born from daily spar could be felt among them.

‘Bringing them here was a good decision.’

Though they hadn’t broken through the wall of Grandmaster, all three had reached the highest Master level.

With the right opportunity, they’d be able to break through any time, making this a great achievement.

‘Of course, the one who made the biggest change is that guy.’

Raon smiled faintly as he watched Dorian moving around the banquet hall like it was his own place.

With his natural sociability, he seemed to have built friendships with everyone in the Holy Sword Alliance, bringing supplies and spreading laughter.

‘His martial growth itself is barely noticeable..’

But he’s become stronger than anyone else.

Although he didn’t fully realize it yet, if Dorian fought with his mind’s eye open, he could defeat swordsmen even stronger than himself.

Being able to ‘read’ an opponent's thoughts was a ridiculously powerful ability.

‘Of course, I too...’

As Raon smiled and looked around, his gaze met Lawrence’s. Leaning against the wall, Lawrence was staring at him sharply, as if something was bothering him.

"Sir Lawrence?"

Raon approached him with a tilted head.

"Is something wrong?"

"Nothing at all!"

Lawrence furrowed his brows, signaling Raon to mind his own business.

"...Ah!"

Raon gave a faint smile, glancing at Lawrence.

"Are you sad that I’m leaving? Ah, feeling lonely, are you…."

"W-What nonsense! I feel perfectly fine!"

Lawrence waved his hand, telling him not to talk nonsense. He was so flustered that the drink in his hand splashed everywhere.

"You’re absolutely right."

Jarek nodded as he approached.

"That guy cried because you're leaving."

He chuckled, saying Lawrence shed tears at their drinking session in Rector’s mansion, feeling like he’d be alone again.

"You old fool, have you gone senile?! Who cried?!"

"You did, saying you'd be alone again once Raon leaves..."

"Shut up! Do you want a fight?! Huh?"

Lawrence turned red, yelling at Jarek.

"May I be the one to fight? After a few days of meditation, I had a flash of inspiration."

Raon grinned, pointing to himself.

"Why don't you shut up!"

Lawrence grabbed his head, begging him to be quiet.

As everyone was enjoying their time, a man appeared at the entrance of the rocky mountain leading to the Holy Sword Alliance.

A red-haired man with both eyes covered by a black eye patch, draped in a tattered dragon robe over his shoulders, twisted his lips upward.

"As expected... you came here."

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